And Conte’s comments on Alexis Sanchez on Friday may be interpreted as questioning Chelsea’s approach.

The 48-year-old expressed his admiration for Sanchez, whose time at Arsenal appears to be coming to an end, either in the January transfer window or this summer when his Gunners contract expires.

Sanchez has been linked with Manchester City, with Manchester United reportedly entering the bidding.

Conte was asked why Chelsea apparently have not joined the race for Sanchez, with Michy Batshuayi failing to convince as a back-up to Alvaro Morata and “half” striker Eden Hazard often used instead as a ‘false nine’.

“I don’t know how I can answer you,” Conte added.

Conte says on Baba Rahman, who is recovering from a bad injury, that it could be an interesting option for him to continue that on loan at Schalke where he was previously.